Funeral arrangements announced for two La. National Guardsmen

NEW ORLEANS –Two of the Louisiana National Guardsmen that died in the UH-60M Black Hawk crash March 10, will return to Louisiana this week.

The following is a schedule of the ceremonies for the returning Soldiers. Staff Sgt. Thomas C. Florich III will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery and will not return to Louisiana.

UPDATE:

• Media WILL be allowed to attend the ceremonies for Chief Warrant Officer 4 David Strother in Alexandria. Media will have a designated location at each service. National Guard PAOs will be on site to direct and provide ground rules.
• The Bergeron family requests that media NOT attend the ceremonies of Staff Sgt. Lance Bergeron.
• The LANG’s Public Affairs Office will provide photos of the ceremonies.

Chief Warrant Officer 4 George David Strother (MEDIA INVITED)

• An official arrival ceremony will be conducted at the LANG’s Army Aviation Support Facility #2 in Pineville, Louisiana March 24 at 11 a.m.
• Visitation will be at the Alexandria Riverfront Convention Center (707 Main Street, Alexandria, La.) from 12 p.m. until 9 p.m., March 25 and 12 p.m. until 4 p.m., March 26.
• CW4 Strother’s funeral service is March 26 at 4 p.m., at the Alexandria Riverfront Convention Center. Interment will follow at the Alexandria Memorial Gardens (8855 Hwy 165, Woodworth, La.) at sunset

POC for event is 1st Lt. Rebekah Malone (225) 747-7955, rebekah.l.malone2.mil@mail.mil.

Staff Sergeant Lance J. Bergeron (MEDIA TO NOT ATTEND)

• An official arrival ceremony will be conducted at the LANG’s Army Aviation Support Facility #1 in Hammond, Louisiana on March 25 at 10 a.m.
• A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held on March 30 at 10 a.m. at the Woodland Park Baptist Church (1909 J W Davis Drive., Hammond, LA)

POC for event is Staff Sgt. Denis Ricou (225) 803-6712, denis.b.ricou.mil@mail.mil